Team News: Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw return for Manchester United

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has made two changes to his starting lineup for this afternoon's trip to face Stoke City.

Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw, both of whom came on as substitutes in the Red Devils' goalless draw against Tottenham Hotspur last time out, start at the Britannia Stadium.

It means that Paddy McNair and Antonio Valencia miss out for United, who are looking to cut the 10-point gap on league leaders Chelsea this afternoon.

Mark Hughes has been forced into making the only change to his side, bringing Jonathan Walters back into the fold in place of instrumental forward Bojan who misses out through injury.

The Potters head into the first Premier League game of 2015 on the back of a good run of form having won their last two matches.

Stoke City starting XI: Begovic, Cameron, Shawcross, Muniesa, Pieters, Walters, Nzonzi, Whelan, Arnautovic, Diouf, Crouch Subs: Butland, Bardsley, Huth, Wilson, Adam, Assaidi, Shenton

Manchester United starting XI: De Gea, Young, Jones, Smalling, Evans, Shaw, Carrick, Mata, Rooney, van Persie, Falcao Subs: Lindegaard, Blackett, Rafael, Fletcher, Herrera, Januzaj, Wilson

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